Table of Contents

Foreward-Keeping the Faith: ACT and the Role of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy in Living a Faith-Based Life Introduction 1. Mental Disorders in the 21st Century 2. Differentiating Psychiatric Symptoms from Disorders 3. The Problem of Experiential Avoidance 4. A Faith-Based ACT Model for Christian Suffering 5. Mary, Martha, Contemplation, and Action 6. Accepting Inner Pain: A Hopeful Endurance 7. Connecting to Each Moment: Stillness, Silence, and an Awareness of God’s Active Presence 8. Christian Values: Jesus’ Model of Servanthood and Self-Sacrifice 9. Faith-Based ACT for Christian Clients with Depression 10. Faith-Based ACT for Christian Clients with Anxiety Index

About the Author

Joshua J. Knabb, PsyD, ABPP, is chair of the behavioral sciences department, director of the master’s program in counseling psychology, and assistant professor of psychology in the division of online and professional studies at California Baptist University.

Reviews

"In this illuminating book, Joshua Knabb demonstrates a deep respect and understanding of both Christianity and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Further, he demonstrates a remarkable capacity to integrate the two in providing an alternative to shallow forms of contemporary counseling that have become all too prominent in today’s mental healthcare system."Mark R. McMinn, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology, George Fox University"Faith-Based ACT for Christian Clients is a very helpful and clearly written book that substantially integrates the Christian faith, especially the contemplative traditions and practices of the early desert Christians and biblical perspectives, with the six core processes of ACT, focusing on the effective treatment of anxiety and depression. Knabb emphasizes that the central aim of Christian-based ACT is to facilitate an awareness of God's active, loving presence, with psychological flexibility and openness as a byproduct. I highly recommend it as essential reading!"Siang-Yang Tan, PhD, professor of psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, and author of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective"For too long, the development and progression of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches has occurred largely outside the purview of faith-based counselors, who nonetheless care for a significant segment of the population with emotional and mental health problems. In this book, Joshua Knabb takes a large and important step in the direction of addressing this problem, convincingly demonstrating the unique, synergistic, life enhancing possibilities for applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the care of Christian clients."Jason A. Nieuwsma, PhD, associate professor, department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Duke University Medical Center"Being evidence-based and faith-based is a challenge. ACT offers a distinctive opportunity for this engagement and Joshua Knabb is both psychologically wise and faithful to the particular needs of the Christian community in offering this thoughtful introduction to ACT from a faith-based perspective. This is a gift for therapists, interested clergy, and thoughtful laity interested in the care of those who suffer among us."Keith G. Meador, MD, ThM, MPH, professor of psychiatry and health policy, Vanderbilt University, director, VA Mental Health and Chaplaincy